Hi! Thank you to everyone who has commented and read my last post. It means the world to me and my sister!

How are you doing? We’re days away from Christmas, so I’m sure you’re feeling busy! I know I am. We’ve had a few fun events, I’m wrapping up local baking orders, and we’ve had a sick kiddo. How about some pictures and thoughts?

I started out the week being caught up on Etsy orders and it felt so good. I just laid on my bed with the kids and we snuggled. Pure bliss! Then they played with toys while I folded a big pile of laundry.

I got to work on chocolate chunk cookies for a local order. I’ve been using a food scale for baking for several years now and it makes a huge difference in how recipes, especially for things like cookies and bread, turn out. Highly recommend!

We went to a stocking stuffer drop-off party to benefit children in foster care. Sadie and I had so much fun over the past month shopping for things for the child we were assigned to shop for. We got to drop off our stocking, mingle, and munch on some of the cookies I made for the gathering. My friend (Runah–the husky we watch often… her “mom”) puts this on each year and it’s quite a special event!

There was a little sign at the party with my shop name on it. So neat seeing things like that!!

Here was the cookie display! I made the peanut butter blossoms and chocolate covered Oreos. I showed the kids and they were like yeah… we see that stuff all the time 😂

Right after we left the stocking party, we high-tailed it home for a quick dinner and then we were off to the library for a gingerbread house making night for the kids! It’s so rare for them to be able to do events together since they have a four year age gap. When I saw they could both do this, I was thrilled!

Sadie did such a good job on her house. She even made a car out of pretzels!! Mordecai? He was just there for the candy. After he made his house, he looked at me and asked “I smash it?” haha. Classic boy. And yes, he smushed it and got the biggest smile on his face.

Apparently the ground is a good, cozy spot for hanging out?

I love reading Holley Gerth’s blog. She is an excellent writer! I think I’ve read every book she’s published, too. Anyways, I saw the above graphic and just had to share.

Something I really wanted to do this holiday season was made homemade cookies and decorate them with the kids. They loved it!

This was my creation!

They’re so sweet together. Mordecai really got into this activity, which (happily) surprised me!

Aaaaand then Sadie got sick. Poor girl got a stomach bug and was out for the count for about two days. The rest of us have stayed healthy *so far* and I’m praying that continues. Though Mordecai has accidentally drank from Sadie’s drink a couple of times in the past few days 🥴

We didn’t leave the house for literally two straight days while Sadie was sick, so we just did activities inside and whew were Mordecai and I stir crazy! When she was finally feeling better, I had to run to the store to grab her some lip balm and I was so excited to leave the house! I put on jeans and mascara and felt like a new human, haha.

I have been doing all sorts of holiday baking the past week, but this post is getting so long! I’ll have to share more in another post. Just picture challah, truffles, granola, cookies, and chocolate covered Oreos in your mind until then 😉

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I mentioned in a recent post that I like seeing what other people give as gifts due to my nosy nature. So, I’m here to turn the tables and share what I’m giving my kids for Christmas! I’ll admit I feel a little vulnerable right now!! Like, am I being too materialistic? Did I get my kids too much? Not enough? I’m always here to keep it real, though, so here is what Jimmy and I are giving our kids for Christmas!

Let’s start with Sader Tot. She’s six-years-old and very joyful, artsy, and into design of any sort.

We’re giving Sader Tot:

• Polly Pocket dolls
• A new chapter book
• Sticky notes
• A small Lego set
• Colored pencils

In her stocking, she’s getting:

• Nail polish
• A Kinder Egg
• Tape (lol)
• A bath bomb
• A hot cocoa bomb

Now onto Mordecai! He’s two-years-old and loves books and any vehicle (but especially garbage trucks!).

What we’re giving Mordecai:

• A new blanket
• A board book
• Play sink
• Scribble Scrubbie

In his stocking, he’s getting:

• A bath bomb
• Yogurt ball snack
• Hot cocoa bomb
• Good to Grow drink

So, here are my thoughts on Christmas gifts for our kids. Our kids have everything they need (and more! What a blessing!), we want to keep the focus of Christmas not on gifts, but on Christ’s birth, and they also get absolutely spoiled by their grandparents.

I try to give them a mixture of things that are consumable (snacks! bath bombs!), things they need to (new coloring supplies, a blanket), and things they like (books and a Lego set). If you’re a parent, I would love to hear how you decide on what to give your kids! I know there are “formulas” like something a child would want/need/wear/read, but I’ve found that I’m a little more relaxed about that and just go with what I think they would like and if there is anything they need.

And that’s a wrap (<–get it?!). Speaking of wrapping… I need to do just that! Today Sadie woke up feeling better, so we went outside in the snow we got this morning. We also decided to film a vlog, so that will be in my next post!

What have you been up to lately?

Are you excited to give any gifts?!